5 Ways to Help Kids Read More

If you are lucky then your kid(s) are natural readers and love to spend time with a book, especially on their own. If you are not so lucky then you might need a little help getting your kids to read more.

1. Use a reading list

Utilizing a reading list will help you not waste time searching the internet for books and easily provide new choices that you might not otherwise have considered.

Reading lists are especially helpful if they are broken down into age ranges or grades. This ensures the books on the list are age appropriate and offer topics that are of interest. Try this book list for 10 year olds.

1. Show them don’t tell them

When your kids were babies they would learn by watching and copying the actions of their parents. This is still true even when they get older. If they see you reading an article, book or magazine, they’ll be more inclined to read as well. When it’s not out of the ordinary to read, they’ll be more likely to crack open a book themselves. For younger children, reading aloud is just as beneficial.

Tip: Eliminate the distractions. It will be more helpful if the environment encourages reading, so turn off the tv, have time set aside to read, get comfy and read together.

2. Availability

If you don’t have books to read then they won’t read. Simple as that. Make reading material easily accessible to your children! You also don’t have to spend a lot of time or money getting these materials either. Try one or all of these easy and creative ideas:

• Create a comfy reading nook that is inviting and no pressure
• A weekly trip to the library for new books
• Take advantage of online resources
• Put a basket of magazines in the car

3. Reward system

When I was younger, our school had a reading program that if you read X amount of books you would get a coupon to Pizza Hut for a personal pan pizza! This was (and is) such a fun reward to inspire kids to read more. Rewards can be big or small, but with a little incentive kids will be more likely to reach for a book without as much complaint.

4. Make it fun!

The minute you pressure your kids into reading is the moment they will fight you on it. Don’t ruin the magic by making it stressful, even if it’s hard to watch your struggling reader. Instead, try some of these fun activities to encourage your reader:

• Storytime at the library
• Audio books
• Read aloud at home
• Reenact a book aka home theater production
• Let them choose their books
• Adventure into new genres
• Read the book then watch the movie
• Karaoke (they’ll have to read the subtitles to follow along)

Help your kids read more by being involved and keeping it interesting. Remember, the best readers are relaxed, excited and having fun with their books!

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go."— Dr. Seuss